Air Fryer Fail: 9 Foods You Should Never Put Inside

Foods With a Wet Batter

Traditional American street junk food Deep fried corn dogs with mustard and ketchup. Dark background. Top view. Copy space. — Image Credit: Composter Box

Foods with a wet batter are not suitable for cooking in an air fryer. The air fryer's hot air circulation can cause wet batters to drip off or blow around inside the appliance. This can create a mess and make cleanup difficult, as the batter may also stick to the air fryer basket.

Popcorn

Using an air fryer to make popcorn might seem convenient, but it is not recommended. Due to the air fryer's small capacity, there is a risk of fire and potential damage to the appliance. Additionally, the high heat and rapid airflow can cause popcorn to pop unevenly.

Cheesy Foods

Slice of hot pizza large cheese lunch or dinner crust seafood meat topping sauce. — Image Credit: Kohanova

Frying cheesy foods in an air fryer can be tricky. For instance, melting cheese can create a mess and burn at the bottom of the appliance. Also, the texture of the cheesy food might not turn either due to uneven cooking.

Bacon

Bacon can cook unevenly in an air fryer, and the grease can splatter inside the appliance. Moreover, the high-fat content of bacon can lead to smoke production, which might set off smoke alarms or fill your kitchen with an unpleasant smell.

Large bone in meat

Roast Lamb leg with herbs and garlic. Dark background. Top view. Copy space. — Image Credit: Composter Box

Frying large bone in meat using an air fryer is not advisable for several reasons. The large size of the bones and the air fryer's limited space can prevent even cooking. In addition, the rapid cooking process may lead to moisture loss, resulting in dry meat.

Leafy Greens

It is generally not a good idea to fry leafy greens in an air fryer due to several reasons. For example, leafy greens like kale, lettuce, and spinach have high water content, and air frying can make them brittle and overly crispy. On top of that, nutrients in the leafy greens can be lost during the frying process, and they may not absorb flavor and oil effectively.

Liquid Sauces

Assortment of sauces in the glass jars. — Image Credit: Alex 9500

It is not advisable to cook liquids like sauces in an air fryer because they can cause a mess and splatters. Cooking liquids in this appliance also increases the risk of burns and accidents. To avoid potential damage and harm, it is best to use a stovetop for cooking liquids.

Rice

Air fryers are designed for baking, frying, and roasting, making them unsuitable for foods like rice, which require boiling or steaming. Cooking rice in an air fryer carries a high risk of burning and is not energy efficient. The rice will likely turn out dry or hard.

Eggs

Cooking eggs in an air fryer can be challenging for several reasons. Eggs may cook unevenly, resulting in an undesirable texture. There is also a high risk of eggs exploding inside the air fryer, creating a mess that can be difficult to clean.